Medical device carrier

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, the mobile medical device carrier is a wheeled, human-operated cart designed to assist the operator by providing a place to secure a medical apparatus such as a Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) device, as well as store assorted dressings, cords, and other personal effects that may be convenient to have on the cart as well. The cart is easily maneuverable, permitting those individuals using such medical devices to be mobile, despite having to be in close proximity to these types of devices. Further, the handle is designed so that the operator of the cart does not have to stoop over to reach the handle, as well as being ergonomically designed to permit the cart to be easily pushed or pulled, depending upon the user&#39;s current need.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart able to carry variousportable medical devices, and which facilitates the easy transport ofthe same by a person. This is preferable, and in some cases required, toprovide a person or patient with the needed independence of being ableto tote their medical apparatus as well as walk around, with little orno outside assistance.

[0002] Many people, particularly the infirm or elderly, require variousmedical apparatus to keep them healthy, most of which are heavy andbulky, or at the very least, inconvenient. Add to this most of thesepeoples' relative inability to carry heavy items any distance, and youhave a recipe for inactivity and immobility, exactly the oppositelifestyle most people need to maintain or restore their health.

[0003] The current invention fills the existing gap in technology byproviding a cart that employs a handle that, due to its positioning andergonomics, enables the user to easily push it alongside them, or topull it behind, if desired. Additionally, the unique employment ofswivel wheels in relation to the aforementioned handle make possibleeasy maneuvering, particularly around corners and in tight spaces. Thecart has room on its platform for the desired medical apparatus, such asa Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) unit, respirator, or the like. Inthis fashion, mobility is restored to the user of the cart, boostingmobility, decreasing fatigue and netting an overall increase in morale,and hopefully, health.

[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a device capable ofcarrying a medical device, thus freeing the user of the need to carry orfind space for such medical device.

[0005] Another object of this invention is to provide a mobile medicaldevice carrier capable of being easily pushed or pulled.

[0006] Still another object of the invention is to provide a device witha handle that will not drop beyond a certain point, thus providing ahandle without having to stoop over to grab such handle.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of this invention shall becomeapparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, the mobile medical devicecarrier is a wheeled, human-operated cart designed to assist theoperator by providing a place to secure a medical apparatus such as aVacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) device, as well as store assorteddressings, cords, and other personal effects that may be convenient tohave on the cart as well. The cart is easily maneuverable, permittingthose individuals using such medical devices to be mobile, despitehaving to be in close proximity to these types of devices. Further, thehandle is designed so that the operator of the cart does not have tostoop over to reach the handle, as well as being ergonomically designedto permit the cart to be easily pushed or pulled, depending upon theuser's current need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of thisinvention. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment isintended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. Theyare but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may bepracticed.

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the mobile medical devicecarrier

[0011]FIG. 2A shows a top view of the mobile medical device carrier.

[0012]FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of the mobile medical device carrier.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the mobile medical device carrier withthe handle in various positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention,reference is made to the figures in describing the various embodimentsof the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a mobile medicaldevice carrier 100 is pictured, having platform 101 where medical device102 can be placed and secured by straps 103. Implementations may alsoinclude a small repository 104 where small articles 105 can be storedalongside medical device 102. Carrier 100 will also have a handle 106attached to platform 101 in order for user 107 to be able to steer andotherwise maneuver carrier 100.

[0015] In operation, medical device 102, such as a Vacuum AssistedClosure unit (V.A.C.), a respirator or an oxygen tank, would be placedon or in carrier 100 and secured with straps 103, which can be of manytypes, as will be readily apparent to those versed in the art. Velcro isan example of one such type of strapping material. Tubing or other smallarticles 105 could also be placed on carrier in the repository 104 oncarrier 100.

[0016] Once loaded and ready, user 107 can utilize carrier 100 by usinghis or her hand to engage handle 106 to propel carrier 100 in thedirection user 107 is traveling. Propulsion from user 107 can originateas a pushing motion when handle 106 is in a partially folded position,as seen in FIG. 3. Propulsion from user 107 can also be a pullingmotion, when handle 106 is in its extended position, permitting user 107to pull carrier 100 behind himself, also seen in FIG. 3.

[0017] One of the unique aspects of carrier 100 is handle 106 which aidsuser 107 by not requiring user 107 to stoop over to retrieve handle 106.Handle 106 is configured such that hinge 108 permits travel of handle106 to be no greater than approximately 15 degrees from the floorbeneath carrier 100. Hinge 108 travel can be controlled by using a hinge108 with limited travel, or shaping or positioning handle 106 in such away to prevent travel beyond a certain point. Various methods oflimiting travel will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Inthis way, user 107 is not ever required to stoop or bend over, which canplace additional strain on damaged or underdeveloped muscles (such asthose in the back, legs or neck) which may lead to discomfort to user107 or even further injury.

[0018] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention havebeen described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile medical device carrier comprisinga platform having first and second opposite faces, wherein said firstopposite face is shaped to hold a medical device and wherein said secondopposite face has an array of wheels operatively attached thereto,configured to permit mobility with the surface below said platform, saidplatform also comprising first and second opposite ends, said firstopposite end having a handle operatively attached thereto to permit auser of said carrier to guide said carrier and wherein said handle isconfigured to be at least 15 degrees above the plane of said platform inorder to prevent said handle from contacting said surface beneath saidplatform.
 2. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 1 furthercomprising flexible straps operatively attached to said platform andpositioned to secure said medical device.
 3. A mobile medical devicecarrier as in claim 2 further comprising a repository on said secondopposite end of said platform sized to fit small articles for storage onsaid platform.
 4. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 3 whereinsaid array of wheels comprise three pairs of wheels, wherein at leastone pair of said wheels are configured to swivel about their position onsaid platform, permitting steering and ease of propulsion of said mobilemedical device carrier.
 5. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 4wherein said handle further comprises two opposite ends, said firstopposite end being operatively connected to said platform, said secondopposite end operatively connected to a gripping means, furthercomprising a hinge intermediate between said first opposite end and saidsecond opposite end.
 6. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 5wherein said hinge of said handle is configured to prevent said hingefrom traveling in an arc greater than 75 degrees.
 7. A mobile medicaldevice carrier as in claim 6 wherein said hinge intermediate along saidhandle is disposed midway between said first opposite end and saidsecond opposite end.
 8. A mobile medical device carrier as in claim 1further comprising a propulsion device operatively attached to at leastone of said wheels to permit self-propulsion of said mobile medicaldevice carrier.